Task Force on child rights told to meet compulsorily once in three months
Chairing a meeting of officials in Dharwad on Monday, the Deputy Commissioner stressed the need for effective action to prevent atrocities on children. She said that coordinated efforts should be made by the Labour Department, School Education Department and Taluk Task Force for the purpose.
While reviewing progress of work she observed that the Labour Department and the Taluk Task Force have not been satisfactorily protecting and rehabilitating child and adolescent workers in the district. She directed them to intensify surprise inspections and raids at industries, brick kilns, hotels and other potential workplaces of child workers.
The Deputy Commissioner also stressed the need for taking strict legal action against both parents who send their children to work and employers who hire them. Any laxity will lead to stern action against officials concerned, she warned.
Ms. Diyva Prabhu asked Labour officials to collect information through BEOs about students consistently remaining absent, visit their houses and submit survey reports.
'As schools offer a safer environment for children, every child should be encouraged to attend schools regularly. Labour Department officials must visit residences of such children who are habitually absent and submit a report by the fifth of every month,' she said.
Emphasising the need for observing World Day Against Child Labour (June 12) in a meaningful manner, she asked the officials to prepare an action plan and effectively implement it to make the district child labour-free.
For creating awareness on the day, street plays and awareness campaigns should be organised in slum areas and densely populated localities. This apart, drawing, essay and speech competitions on the theme should be organised in educational institutions, she said.
Senior officials of various departments were present.
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